Are you looking for a fresh haircut, something that truly complements your unique face? It can feel like a big decision, trying to figure out what will really work for you, you know, what makes you feel great and looks good too. Finding the right style for your face shape is a pretty big step in getting that perfect look, something that makes you feel confident every single day.
For folks with an oblong face shape, which is basically a face that’s longer than it is wide, with a rather high forehead, picking a haircut that truly balances things out can make all the difference. You want something that adds a little width, maybe softens the length a bit, and really brings out your best features, actually.
We've gathered some truly inspiring ideas, 21 of them, in fact, to help you discover the ultimate collection of hairstyles tailored for oblong faces. These styles are designed to enhance your natural beauty while adding a touch of elegance and balance, so you can find a style you love that works with your unique face shape, more or less.
Table of Contents
- Understanding Your Oblong Face Shape
- The Goal for Oblong Faces
- Top Hairstyles for Oblong Face Shapes
- What to Consider for Your Best Look
- Frequently Asked Questions About Oblong Face Hairstyles
Understanding Your Oblong Face Shape
First things first, you know, let's get a handle on what an oblong face shape actually looks like. Oblong face shapes are characterized by a face that’s longer than it is wide, with a rather high forehead, and often a somewhat narrow chin. It's not quite as broad as a square face, and not as rounded as, say, a round face, you know.
People with this face shape often have a forehead, cheekbones, and jawline that are more or less the same width, but the overall length of the face is the most noticeable feature. It’s like, the vertical measurement is simply greater than the horizontal, which is what gives it that distinct long appearance, basically.
Knowing your face shape is really the starting point for picking out the best haircut, actually. It’s like, how do you choose a hairstyle, haircut, or even a facial hair look without knowing what works with your unique features? We have guides on how to determine your face shape, for instance, if you were assigned male at birth, and what to do once you know, so you can figure it out pretty easily.
It's pretty important to get this right because the wrong cut can, you know, emphasize the length even more. But the good news is that once you identify your face shape, a whole world of flattering options opens up for you, honestly.
The Goal for Oblong Faces
So, when you have an oblong face, the main idea with your hairstyle is to create the appearance of a bit more width and to kind of shorten the length, you know. You want to avoid anything that makes your face seem even longer, which is a common mistake people make, honestly.
The goal is to bring a sense of balance to the face, to make it appear more proportional. This often means adding volume or fullness to the sides of the head, or using features like bangs or layers to break up the long lines of the face, you know, to kind of interrupt that vertical flow.
The right style can really highlight your best features and, in a way, make your face appear a little smaller or more balanced. It's all about creating visual harmony, you know, making everything just seem right, pretty much. It's about drawing attention to the middle of the face, perhaps, or to the cheekbones, rather than letting the eye travel straight up and down.
By adding width, you create the illusion that the face is not as long as it actually is, and that’s the secret sauce for oblong face shape hairstyles, basically. It’s a bit like framing a picture, where the frame helps to define the art, you know.
Top Hairstyles for Oblong Face Shapes
We've listed 20 of the best hairstyles for an oblong face shape in this article, and we've got 13 other flattering hairstyles for oblong faces to check out too. These styles are sure to make your face look fantastic, basically. Keep on reading to find your perfect hairstyle match for your oblong face shape.
These styles are designed to enhance your natural beauty while adding a touch of elegance and balance, so you can find a style you love that works with your unique face shape. We gathered 21 inspiring ideas, and this article lists 20 of the best hairstyles for an oblong face shape, so there’s plenty to explore, you know.
Styles That Add Width
To add some width, think about styles that have volume on the sides. Wavy or curly hair styles, for example, are really good for this. One of the biggest advantages of curly hair styles is the softening effect they have, which is really great for oblong faces, you know.
A textured bob that hits around the chin or just below it can also create a lovely wide appearance, basically. It brings the eye outwards rather than letting it travel down the length of the face. This kind of cut really helps to fill out the sides, which is pretty much the main goal.
Layers are also a fantastic choice, especially layers that frame your face. Lots of layers can really break up the length and add a bit of fullness where you need it, creating a more balanced look, you know, more or less. Face-framing layers can draw attention to your cheekbones and eyes, which is always a good thing, honestly.
Bangs can be a bit tricky, but the right kind can really work. We're talking about 20 most flattering hairstyles for long face shapes using bangs, face framing, and lots of layers. The trick is to avoid heavy bangs or anything that completely covers the forehead, because that can, you know, actually make your face seem longer. Think lighter, wispy bangs or side-swept fringes that softly graze the forehead, or even curtain bangs that part in the middle, you know.
The idea with bangs is to shorten the appearance of the forehead, which is often a prominent feature of an oblong face. A light, airy fringe can do this beautifully without adding too much weight, basically. It’s all about creating horizontal lines to counteract the vertical ones, pretty much.
Softening the Lines
A bob, for instance, can be a really good choice, especially one that hits at just the right length. A bob can highlight a woman’s best features, like her cheekbones or jawline, and it helps to add width around the face, which is pretty much what we're going for, you know.
Soft waves and curls are your friends here, honestly. They add a lot of softness and movement, which helps to counteract the straight lines that can make an oblong face seem even longer. It’s about creating a softer, more rounded appearance, you know, like your face is framed in a gentle way.
Consider a shaggy cut with lots of soft layers and waves. This style naturally creates width and a bit of a playful, undone look that really complements the oblong shape. It gives a kind of effortless vibe, you know, which is really appealing, honestly.
You might also think about a lob, which is a long bob, styled with a bit of a bend or wave. This length can be very flattering, hitting around the collarbone, and when styled with some texture, it adds that much-needed width and softness around the face, basically.
The key is to avoid super straight, sleek styles that just fall flat along the sides of your face. These can make your face seem even narrower and longer, which is the opposite of what we want, you know. Always aim for some volume and movement, pretty much.
Hairstyles for Men with Oblong Faces
For men, finding the perfect haircut for your oblong face shape is totally possible, no matter your style. In this guide, we go over the top haircuts and hairstyles for oblong faces men, so you'll definitely find something that works, you know.
Styles that have some volume on the sides or a bit of length on top that can be styled to the side are often great. Think about a classic side part or a textured crop with faded sides, for instance. These can help to add width and reduce the appearance of length, basically.
A medium-length messy style with some texture on top and sides can also be really good. It adds volume without adding too much height, and the messiness helps to break up the long lines of the face, you know. It gives a relaxed yet stylish feel, honestly.
Avoid styles that are too short on the sides and too long on top, as these can emphasize the length of your face. You want to balance things out, you know, so the proportions feel right. From buzz cuts to longer styles, you're good to go, but always keep the balance in mind, pretty much.
A classic quiff can work, but make sure it's not too high, and that there's enough volume on the sides to balance it out. A slightly longer, swept-back style with some volume can also be very flattering, especially if it has a bit of a wave or texture to it, basically.
Hair Length Considerations
When it comes to length, medium-length styles often work really well for oblong faces. They offer enough hair to create volume and layers without adding too much vertical emphasis, you know. Long hair can work, but it needs layers and movement to prevent it from just hanging straight down and making the face seem even longer, actually.
For long hair, adding lots of layers, especially around the face, is super important. Think about face-framing layers that start around the chin or collarbone. This helps to create width and break up the length, so your hair doesn't just look like it's dragging your face down, basically.
Short styles can also be fantastic, but again, it’s about the shape. A pixie cut for oval face shapes creates short hairstyles that look chic without effort, and while an oblong face isn't an oval, some principles apply. For oblong faces, short styles with some volume on the sides or a bit of a messy, textured look can be very flattering, basically.
A short bob, for example, can be styled with waves or curls to add that needed width. Even a very short cut can work if it has soft, choppy layers that create texture and volume around the ears and temples, you know, rather than just being sleek and flat.
The key is to avoid extreme lengths without proper styling. Super long, straight hair or super short, slicked-back hair might not be the most flattering choices for an oblong face because they can emphasize the length, pretty much. It's all about strategic volume and shape, you know.
What to Consider for Your Best Look
Finding the perfect hairstyle for your unique face shape is a journey, you know, and it's totally worth it. Every face shape has a number of hairstyles that flatter them best, and oblong faces are no different, honestly.
Think about your hair type too. Curly hair, as we mentioned, is really good for adding that softening effect and width. But even if your hair is straight, layers and clever styling can help you get the look you want, you know. You can learn more about face shapes and hairstyles on our site, which can give you a lot of good general information.
Consider your personal style and how much time you want to spend styling your hair. A great haircut should not only look good but also fit into your daily life, you know. It's a great chop to show off your personality, whether you’re a fun, sassy woman or just someone looking for a simple yet stylish change, basically.
For more ideas, you might want to look at what's trending. While we're talking about oblong faces, it's interesting to see how trends apply. For instance, you can discover the best oval face hairstyles for men in 2025, from short haircuts to medium wavy and long wavy styles, and some of those ideas might actually spark inspiration for your oblong face, too. You know, you can find the perfect cut for your face shape, whatever it is, by checking out resources like this article from Byrdie.
Remember, the best hairstyle is one that makes you feel great and confident. Don't be afraid to experiment a little, maybe try a new style for a bit, or talk to your stylist about what they think would work well for your specific features, you know. They often have really good insights, honestly.
Ultimately, the goal is to find a style that you truly love and that makes you feel like the best version of yourself, basically. It’s about enhancing your natural beauty, so take your time, look at lots of pictures, and find what speaks to you, you know, what feels right. You can also explore more tips on finding your perfect look by visiting this page.
Frequently Asked Questions About Oblong Face Hairstyles
What kind of haircut makes an oblong face look shorter?
To make an oblong face appear shorter, you want to add width and reduce vertical emphasis, you know. Hairstyles with layers around the face, soft waves, or curls that create volume on the sides are great. A bob that hits around the chin or collarbone can also really help, as can side-swept bangs or a fringe that doesn't completely cover the forehead, basically. These styles create horizontal lines and fullness, which helps to visually shorten the face, pretty much.
Are bangs good for oblong faces?
Yes, bangs can be good for oblong faces, but it really depends on the type, you know. Heavy, straight-across bangs that completely cover the forehead might make your face look even longer by creating a solid block. Instead, opt for lighter, wispy bangs, curtain bangs, or side-swept fringes. These styles help to break up the length of the face and add a bit of softness and width, honestly, which is very flattering.
What hairstyles should men with oblong faces avoid?
Men with oblong faces should generally avoid hairstyles that add too much height on top without balancing width on the sides, you know. Think very short sides with a very long top, like a high fade with a tall pompadour
